Protetor solar: porque não é só de verão (e como escolher o teu)

Sunscreen isn't just for summer (and how to choose yours)

Short answer: sunscreen makes sense all year round, not just in summer. UVA radiation is present in every season, passes through clouds and, partly, through glass. For everyday use, choose a face sunscreen with SPF 30 or 50, a UVA symbol on the pack and a texture you'll use without effort.

Why it isn't just for summer

Ultraviolet radiation is mainly UVB and UVA. UVB is the main cause of sunburn and varies a lot with the season and time of day. UVA varies less through the year, is present on cloudy days and is associated with sun-related skin ageing and the darkening of dark spots.

So daily face protection doesn't depend on the weather being hot. It depends on exposure to daylight — on the way to work, by a window, at a café terrace.

How to choose your face sunscreen

  • SPF 30 or 50. SPF mainly measures protection against UVB. For daily face use, 30 or 50 are the most common choices.
  • UVA symbol. In the EU, "UVA" inside a circle shows that UVA protection meets the European recommendation relative to the stated SPF.
  • Texture. The best sunscreen is the one you'll wear every day. Fluid, cream or tinted: pick what feels comfortable.
  • Mineral or chemical. Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) and organic ("chemical") filters are both approved in the EU. The difference lies in texture, finish and individual tolerance.
  • Fragrance. For sensitive skin, a fragrance-free sunscreen is usually the simplest choice.

How much to apply

The SPF on the pack is measured in a lab with about 2 mg of product per cm² of skin. In practice, most people apply less, so real-world protection is lower than stated. A common practical guide for face and neck is two lines of product along two fingers.

Reapplying

Reapply during the day if you're outdoors for a long time, and always after sweating, swimming or towelling. If you wear make-up, spray or powder formats make reapplying easier.

Sunscreen and the rest of your routine

If you use actives such as retinol, exfoliating acids or products for dark spots, daily sunscreen matters even more: some of these actives increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun, and without protection spots tend to stay.

Sunscreen doesn't replace other measures: avoiding the sun at its strongest, and wearing a hat, sunglasses and clothing still matter.

Our Tinted Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50 uses zinc oxide as its mineral filter and iron oxides for a tint. Fragrance-free.

Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 →

FAQ

Do I need sunscreen on cloudy days?

Yes. Clouds reduce some radiation, but much of the UVA still reaches the skin.

Indoors or at the office too?

If you spend long periods by a window, yes: ordinary glass filters most UVB but lets some UVA through.

Is a day cream with SPF enough?

It can be, if it has SPF 30 or more, a UVA symbol and you apply enough. In practice, people tend to use less of a moisturiser than of a sunscreen.

How long does sunscreen last once opened?

Check the open-jar symbol (for example, 12M) on the pack. More in our article Does sunscreen expire?.

Back to blog